Maximilian F. Beier is a partner at Beier, Beier & Beier. He joined the law firm in 2001 as an associate after a two-year clerkship with Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge, John P. Hester. He was made a partner in 2007. Max’s primary focus is handling commercial and residential real estate transactional work, as well as real estate litigation work. Max also has experience litigating other civil claims in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania. Additional litigation experience includes business disputes, contract actions, real-estate and domestic matters. Max and wife Michele reside in Shadyside section of Pittsburgh, and are...

John is a member of the Real Estate, Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Corporate and Business Planning practice groups at Feldstein Grinberg Lang & McKee. In this capacity, he advises clients on all aspects of real estate transactions, helps clients plan or administer their estates, and leans on his real-world corporate experiences to provide clients with insight on corporate structure and planning matters. A summa cum laude graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, John began his career working at Respironics (now Philips/Respironics) in its International Logistics Department, and prior to starting...

Bart has extensive litigation experience in a wide range of personal injury cases including slip and falls, auto accidents, and defective products. He provides clients with special insight into insurance practices, having worked for two major insurers before practicing law. Bart also has developed considerable real estate expertise with 35 years of experience. He has personally done over 2,000 real estate closings and has been a real estate title agent for over 20 years. Bart works with both residential and commercial real estate clients throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, Bart is extremely active in his firm’s specialized equine practice...

Real estate refers to land, as well as anything permanently attached to the land, such as buildings and other structures, and covers more than just the drafting of contracts for the purchase and sale of property. Both federal and state laws regulate real estate transactions. The Federal Fair Housing Act, for example, prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions on account of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Many states have enacted similar legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of certain characteristics.

Attorneys in this field may handle leasing issues, landlord-tenant disputes, eviction proceedings and homeowner association (HOA) problems. Other matters within this practice area include title disputes, mortgages, covenants, easements, and equitable servitudes. Many real estate issues can affect both commercial and individual renters and landlords. Real estate lawyers who represent commercial interests may also focus on land use, zoning, environmental law, or eminent domain issues.

Some states provide a certification for lawyers who have demonstrated experience and competency in the practice of real estate law. These attorneys must meet certain educational, experience, and examination requirements to receive the certification as a specialist.

Deed: The legal document that transfers the ownership of real property from one party to another.

Mortgage: A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to repay the loan.